capacity

capacity

the power to hold, retain, or contain, or the ability to absorb; usually expressed numerically as the measure of such ability.

closing capacity (CC) the volume of gas in the lungs at the time of airway closure, the sum of the closing volume and the residual volume. See also closing volume.

decreased intracranial adaptive capacity a nursing diagnosis accepted by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, defined as the state in which intracranial fluid dynamic mechanisms that normally compensate for increases in intracranial volumes are compromised, resulting in repeated disproportionate increases in intracranial pressure in response to a variety of noxious and nonnoxious stimuli.

forced vital capacity the maximal volume of gas that can be exhaled from full inhalation by exhaling as forcefully and rapidly as possible. See also pulmonary function tests.

functional residual capacity the amount of gas remaining at the end of normal quiet respiration.

heat capacity the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a specific quantity of a substance by one degree Celsius.

inspiratory capacity the volume of gas that can be taken into the lungs in a full inhalation, starting from the resting inspiratory position; equal to the tidal volume plus the inspiratory reserve volume.

functional residual capacity the amount of air remaining at the end of normal quiet respiration.

heat capacity the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a specific quantity of a substance by one degree Celsius. Symbol C.

inspiratory capacity the volume of gas that can be taken into the lungs in a full inhalation, starting from the resting inspiratory position; equal to the tidal volume plus the inspiratory reserve volume.

virus neutralizing capacity the ability of a serum to inhibit the infectivity of a virus.

vital capacity VC; the volume of gas that can be expelled from the lungs from a position of full inspiration, with no limit to duration of inspiration; equal to inspiratory capacity plus expiratory reserve volume.

capacity

[kəpas′i·tē]

Etymology: L, capacitas

1 the power or ability to hold, retain, or contain, or the ability to absorb.

2 mental ability to receive, accomplish, endure, or understand. See also capacitance.

3 the volume or potential volume of material (solid, liquid, or gas) that can be held or contained.

capacity

Medspeak-UKA generic term for the sum of the resources available to an organisation, service or community, including people, money, equipment, expertise, skills and information.

PsychologyA term referring to a person’s ability to understand and retain information about his/her medical condition and need for treatment.

capacity

Patient rights The capability of a person to function as an autonomous unit. See Testamentary capacity.

capacity

ca·pac·i·ty

1. The potential cubic contents of a cavity or receptacle. See also: volume

2. Power to do.

[L. capax, able to contain; fr. capio, to take]

capacity,

n legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness.

capacity, functional residual,

n (normal capacity), the volume of gas in the lungs at resting expiratory level.

capacity, iron-binding,

n a measure of the binding capacity of iron in the serum; helps to differentiate the causes of hypoferremia. This capacity tends to increase in iron deficiency and diminishes in chronic diseases and during infection.

capacity, normal,

n See capacity, functional residual.

capacity, total lung (TLC),

n the volume of air in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration.

capacity, vital (VC),

n the maximum volume of air that can be expired after maximal inspiration.

capacity

the power to hold, retain, or contain, or the ability to absorb; usually expressed numerically as the measure of such ability.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.